Howard Stern Mulls Return to Traditional Radio

Radio shock jock Howard Stern says several terrestrial radio stations have invited him to return from the land of Sirius XM satellite radio.

Stern is in the final year of a five-year, $500 million contract that Sirius used to lure him from the traditional airwaves. It’s highly unlikely that Sirius, which is just emerging from years of weak financial performance, would be willing to pay him that much again.

Stern said on the air that several regular radio stations executives have approached him. "I actually have an offer," he said. "Well, not a bona fide offer, but people have been making them."

Stern didn’t reveal which stations contacted him. But he said he “can’t ever imagine the day” that he would return to his former employer Clear Channel.

The outrageous disc jockey is best known for his racy language and content. His obscenities have cost him more in fines than any other radio personality. Part of the reason why Stern fled to satellite radio is that it’s not subject to Federal Communications Commission content limits.

Stern also has political history. Running as a Libertarian, he competed briefly for governor of New York in 1994 against Democrat Mario Cuomo. He pledged to re-invoke the death penalty and prohibit road construction during the day.

Stern dropped out of the race because election law required him to reveal his home address and file a financial disclosure form.

As for his current job situation, Radio Business Report writes that Stern’s likely to stay where he is. “He may be just posturing as the negotiations continue,” the publication maintains.

A compromise could be arranged in which Stern is paid less but also works fewer hours.